Man City in for Ronaldo

Manchester City are looking to break the bank to land ex Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo

City have decided to break the bank to attract the Real Madrid star to the Etihad if he becomes available this summer.

And they have told the Ronaldo camp they are prepared to beat any financial offer United put to him - meaning they could pay more than £300,000-a-week to get their man.

United have spent the past five months trying to put together a deal to bring the 28-year-old back to Old Trafford, and the emotional pull for Ronaldo is huge.

City know that would be a major hurdle to overcome, but Starsport understands both chief executive Ferran Soriano and football director Txiki Begiristain have told the player’s representatives they are deadly serious in their interest.

And they have made it clear that if Real are open to letting the Portugal ace leave, they will go as far as it takes to blow their Manchester rivals out of the water.

United have spent the past five months trying to put together a deal to bring Ronaldo back

“City have decided to break the bank to attract Real Madrid star Ronaldo”

City chairman Sheik Mansur has made it clear to Soriano that should Ronaldo come onto the market, City have to do everything possible to clinch his signature.

Ronaldo has two years left of his current deal in Spain, but despite making public claims a new deal is close, Real have yet to make ANY formal contract offer.

That has increased optimism at United that they can seal a stunning summer transfer - though City’s late interest will cause concern at Old Trafford.

City's chief executive and football director have told Ronaldo's reps they are serious with their interest

Paris Saint Germain are the only side to have tabled a concrete bid so far, with Real rejecting a £55m bid last week.

The French club would be prepared to pay big, but Ronaldo is understood to favour a return to the Premier League when he leaves the Bernabeu.

Former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson made Ronaldo a global superstar

Until now United had been the only serious option if a £70m offer can persuade Real to sell, but the forward’s agent Jorge Mendes has been left in no doubt City’s interest is for real.

The club are still smarting at the way they missed out to United in the race for Robin Van Persie a year ago, a signing which Mansur believes cost them the title.

They are desperate to avoid history repeating itself, and would do everything possible to clinch a transfer which would dwarf the controversy of the Carlos Tevez signing which sent ripples through the City.